January 7, 2011

Luxury Yacht Company Creates iPad-Controlled Ship

Custom-made software from German luxury yacht company Lurssen gives passengers control of everything but the steering wheel just from the touch of their iPad.

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is the first sail on this pleasure yacht, named Solemates, equipped with the technology.

The rap star and his family will have control of all the shipboard entertainment and climate systems, the blinds and lights in their cabins, and could even have their Pina Coladas topped-off at the tap of a button.

"You won't find this app for download in the Apple store any time soon," Rupert Connor, central agent from chartering firm the Luxury Yacht Group, told CNN. "The captain hands each guest their own iPad when they board, which they get to keep for the entirety of their trip."

Connor says that guests are given the option to customize the app's homepage to suit their preferences.

"For instance, if we have a client who we know is a music industry bigwig, then we'll program the app's homepage to have a prominent shortcut to our high-speed media server's music library, and we'll do our research to make sure we have all the music they'd want to listen to."

People are able to cruise in the luxurious ship for $690,000 a week, plus expenses.

The yacht is also equipped with Jacuzzis and enough flat-screen LCD panels to tile a roof.

"We've a top-of-the-range al-fresco gym on board, but if you prefer keeping in shape on the dance floor then it converts into a disco, with an $80,000 integrated light and sound system," he said.

The yacht also has what Connor believes to be the world's first yacht-board aromatherapy shower.

"This is aromatherapy direct from the shower-head," Connor told CNN. "It comes in four different flavors: eucalyptus, pine needle, citrus, and peppermint."

However, Connor said that beyond the high-tech toys and luxury linens, the superyacht's greatest asset is its crew.

"We've an amazingly experienced crew which includes a chef who's worked in some of the best restaurants in Paris and England, a stewardess who speaks five languages and another who is also a cardiothoracic nurse."